Policy & Press

IMHSA responds to Monitor’s announcement of delay in implementation of 2015/16 National Tariff

Following the announcement that Monitor is delaying the implementation of the 2015/16 National Tariff in light of significant objections to its proposals from providers, IMHSA Chair Joy Chamberlain said:

“IMHSA members were very disappointed that the original proposals did little to address the significant disinvestment in mental health seen in recent years. The review process gives Monitor the opportunity to rectify this and ensure that mental health receives the funding it needs.

“In particular, IMHSA was concerned that while the proposals made clear that prices for mental health services should be set at a local level, it contradicted this advice by stating that local prices should have regard to the national tariff. This is not in keeping with the spirit of local pricing and does not pay due regard to the different cost base of mental health providers and the significant efficiencies delivered by the independent sector in mental health.

“It is essential that Monitor does not disadvantage mental health when revising the tariff proposals and takes these concerns and differences into account. The final tariff must provide the funding environment needed to ensure that patients are able to access high quality, local mental health care in a timely manner. A parity of tariff deflator does not equal a parity of esteem and more needs to be done to tackle the wider problem of disinvestment in mental health.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. For more information, please contact Rebecca Brake at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0203 102 3621

2. IMHSA is a leading group of eleven independent mental health service providers representing over 90% of the independent sector. Members include The Ansel Group, Care UK, Cygnet, Huntercombe, Partnerships in Care, Priory Group, Alpha Hospitals, The Retreat, In Mind, Glencare and St Andrew’s.

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